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Illness count rises in E. coli outbreak

The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in New York linked to organic spinach and spring mix has spread to four more states, raising the number of illnesses to 28.

A blended product under the Wegmans label is a likely source of the outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. voluntarily recalled the blend sourced by Chelsea, Mass.-based State Garden Inc., on Nov. 1. Within a few days, 19 illnesses were reported, many in or near Rochester, N.Y.

The Food and Drug Administration, which is tracing the product, has not yet identified the grower.

Ten people were hospitalized, the CDC announced Nov. 17. Two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or kidney failure. No deaths were reported. There were 22 cases in New York, two each in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and one each in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Their ages range from 4 to 66. They became ill between Oct. 18 and Nov. 3.

State Garden has not commented further on the outbreak since a Nov. 2 statement that its products were not confirmed as a cause.

The recalled product, labeled Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach and Spring Mix, was sold Oct. 14 to Nov. 1 in 11-ounce and 5-ounce clamshells at Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.

Wegmans recalled about 31,000 pounds.

According to State Garden, the item under investigation was the 11-ounce blend with use-by dates of Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 and traceback codes of 60832 and 14765. As a precaution, Wegmans removed all code dates from all stores and called customers who purchased the items using their Shopper Club cards.